Your licensing update for December

Policy Officer Sam Watkin on the latest licensing news from your area. 

Blackpool Council 

The council is currently consulting on introducing further selective licensing in Blackpool, which will require Secretary of State approval before it can come into force, due to the size of the proposed scheme. 

It wants to introduce a Selective Licensing scheme to cover eight of Blackpool’s most deprived wards: 

  • Warbreck 

  • Talbot 

  • Brunswick 

  • Claremont 

  • Bloomfield 

  • Tyldesley 

  • Victoria 

  • Waterloo 

The council has cited poor housing conditions and deprivation as reasons for the scheme, which would cover around 11,000 private rented properties -  around 70% of Blackpool's private rented sector. 

The consultation will run for 10 weeks and will close on January 7. Landlords can read more about the proposals and submit their responses on the council’s website here: https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Have-your-say/Consultations/Consultations-and-other-engagement.aspx  

Stockton on Tees Council  

Stockton on Tees council is currently consulting on a new Selective Licensing Scheme. The proposals will cover three areas:  
 

  • Central Stockton  

  • North Thornaby  

  • Newtown  

The consultation will run until January 19. The council said all three areas have high concentrations of private rented housing, are likely to become areas of low housing demand and are experiencing high levels of deprivation. Newtown in particular is experiencing high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.  
 
The proposed standard fee for a licence is £653, with discounts available for being a member of a recognised accreditation scheme, including that run by the NRLA.  

Further information about the proposals and how to submit a consultation response can be found on the council’s website here: https://www.stockton.gov.uk/selective-licensing-scheme-2023 

New schemes 

Warwick District Council 

After consulting on plans earlier on this year, Warwick District Council’s new Additional Licensing scheme will come into effect on January 18 for five years. The scheme covers the whole district, and landlords can submit their application from January 1, with early bird discount fees available for applications submitted prior to March 14.  

The fee for an Additional Licence will vary depending on how many occupants are living in the property, ranging from £800 to £926.

The council expects around 700 HMOs to be covered under this new scheme. Landlords who need to register their details are advised to contact the Private Sector Housing Team via phone 01926 456359 or email: [email protected].  

Landlords can read more about the upcoming scheme in Warwick, and how to apply for an additional licence on the council’s website.  

Tower Hamlets Council  

After consulting on proposals, Tower Hamlets Council has recently approved borough wide designation for Additional Licensing to come into force on April 1. The designation will include all relevant multi-let properties in the Selective Licensing area as well.  

The licence will specify the maximum number of people who may live in an HMO, and will include specific conditions regarding the safety of electrical appliances and furniture, gas and fire safety, as well as the and overall management and conditions of the property.  
Licence fees for an online application start at £600, with no early bird discounts or accreditation discounts available.  
 
Further information about the scheme and where to apply for a licence can be found on the council's website here: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/housing/Health_and_housing/Landlord_licensing_scheme/Additional_Licensing_Scheme.aspx  

More information

The NRLA aims to respond to all property licensing consultations, and members can learn more about effectively responding to consultations themselves in our free Licensing Toolkit. 

The best way to keep up to date with licensing news and consultation information is by signing up to NRLA Licensing Support, a free member benefit, powered by our partner, Kamma Data. 

Using Kamma, you can keep up to date with licensing regulations for up to 16 properties. Read the latest licensing update from Kamma by clicking here.